Clamp



(Nd Model.) T.- S. KILGORB.

CLAMP. No. 601,569. Patented Mar. 29. 1898.

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UNITED STATES THAD S. KILGORE, OF HENDERSON, IOWA.

CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,569, dated March 29, 1898.

Application filed December 14, 1897. Serial No. 661,830. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THAD S. KILGORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Henderson, in the county of Mills and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to clamps designed for use either upon wire or rope; and the object in View is to provide a simple implement of the character referred to especially adapted for clamping wire in the construction or repairing of wire fences, for stretching wire preparatory to the securing of the same to the post, and also for facilitating the splicing and tightening of the line-wires of the fence.

The detailed objects andadvantages of the invention will be pointed out in the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in an improved clamp embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,and illustrated in the drawings and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same, showing a section of barbed wire engaged therewith.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in both views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the handle of the improved clamp, which may be of any suitable length and which has connected rigidly thereto or formed integrally therewith at one end a plate 2. The plate extends above and beneath or on both sides of the handle 1 and is provided at one edge with a laterally-projecting stationary jaw 3, having at its outer edge a right-angular flange 4, thus leaving an intervening groove 5, in which the wire or rope lies when the clamp is in position. The groove 5 is located slightly below the longitudinal plane of the handle 1, so that the wire or rope passes through the stationary jaw 3 and under the handle 1, while still remaining straight, as shown in Fig. 2, the jaw 3 terminating in an inclined face 6, and is also provided with transverse teeth or serrations 7 for obtaining a better hold upon the wire or rope.

Pivotally mounted upon the plate 2 is a movable jaw 8, provided with teeth or serrations 9. This jaw is pivoted at 10 and is extended to form a handle 11, whereby it may be rocked. Interposed between the handle 1 and the handle 11 is a leaf-spring 12, one end of which is secured to the handle 1, the opposite or free end bearing against the side or inner edge of the handle 11, so as to normally rock the jaw 8 toward the stationary jaw 3 for engaging the rope or wire.-

13 designates an opening through the plate 2 adjacent to the groove 5, into which one of the barbs may project for obtaining a better hold upon the wire.

In practice the clamp is engaged over the wire, so that the latter passes through the groove 5 and under the handle 1. During this operation the handle 11 is rocked, so as to move the jaw 8 away from the jaw 3. One of the barbs may be engaged in the opening 13, after which the handle 11 is released, the spring 12 closing the jaws upon the wire. Thus it will be seen that the greater the linear strain placed upon the wire or rope the more tightly will the pivoted jaw grasp the wire or rope. After the wire or rope has been spliced or tightened or stretched to the desired extent the strain is removed from the clamp, and the pivoted jaw may then be rocked out of engagement for releasing the clamp. Pivotally connected to one end of the plate 2 is a ring or loop 14 for the-attachment of any,

draft appliance for stretching the rope.

It will of course be understood that the improved clamp hereinbefore described is adapted for various uses and that it is susceptible of various changes in the forms, proportion, and minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages ofthe invention.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a clamp of the class specified, a handle, a plate rigid thereon at a right angle thereto and extending on both sides of the loination with a handle, a plate rigid thereon 1 and extending on opposite sides thereof and provided with a barb-receiving opening, and a stationary jaw having a groove located in the plate at one side of the handle, of a pivoted jaw mounted on said plate, a handle for rocking said jaw, a spring for closing said jaw, and a ring or loop pivotally connected to said plate, all arranged substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

TI-IAD S. KILGORE. Witnesses:

J. G. BONE, J. L. DARNELL. 

